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The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) provides a framework for cloud platform providers that manages standardized selfassessments regarding security controls. The framework as it stands does not allow consumers to specify and check their own requirements, nor does it contain any means for verifying the capabilities claimed by the providers. From a customer perspective, both these aspects are essential for evaluating the trustworthiness of cloud providers and for making an informed decision. Wedoi:10.1145/2480362.2480727 dblp:conf/sac/HabibVM13 fatcat:ocqkk7ttbnfqpconhubivj2pma


Loss of merchandise or income, called "shrinkage," costs retailers and consumers about $10 billion annually. Shrinkage is a live-action presentation that introduces viewers to the types of shrinkage and its consequences. It also profiles amateur and professional shoplifters, offers suggestions on reducing shoplifting, exposes employee errors that lead to shrinkage, and details four types of employee dishonesty-embezzlement, forgery, direct theft and giving reduced-priced or free items. A supplement is included.


Russia's nuclear showmanship could trigger new arms race
During an annual state address this week, President Vladimir Putin unveiled Russia’s pursuit of new nuclear weapons systems, couched as a response to the increasingly adversarial “American machine.” During the speech, Putin presented animated videos demonstrating how such weapons could successfully target parts of the United States.
Among the capabilities in development are a liquid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that is more difficult to intercept and a nuclear-powered cruise missile with the ability to penetrate “all existing and prospective missile defense and counter-air defense systems.”
Why it matters: Putin maintains that the decision to enhance the Russian nuclear arsenal is a natural reaction to the evolving threat posed by the U.S. — particularly Washington’s continued development of anti-ballistic missiles that could neutralize Russia’s existing nuclear forces.
Yet there are other factors that may have played into Putin's grandiose unveiling:
The Trump administration's Nuclear Posture Review,which details plans to develop new capabilities including “low-yield” nuclear weapons on submarines, and calls for the possible use of nuclear weapons as a retaliatory response to non-nuclear events. Russian presidential elections,just several days away, bring out Putin’s showmanship of national strength to rally support. While he is poised to win the elections, the Kremlin is worried about low voter turnout. What's next: The White House noted that Moscow's nuclear developments are nothing new and that U.S. defense capabilities remain strong, especially with a sizable budget increase. However, President Trump has not commented directly on the issue, as he has on tense exchanges with North Korea. Nuclear policy experts fear that aggressive signaling between the two countries could spiral into a new nuclear arms race, neglecting opportunities to instead pursue nuclear weapons reductions through arms control agreements. Lovely Umayam is a nuclear policy analyst and project manager with the Promoting Security and Prosperity program at the Stimson Center.


Constant technological advancement has driven an ever-increasing demand for new smart materials, particularly in energy sectors. For this reason, promising materials with superior electrochemical characteristics, such as Polyoxometalates composites, have long been valued by scientists due to their wide range of uses and enormous potential to fulfill the demands of modern industry.
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com Polyoxometalates-Soft Matter Composites: An Overview
Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a distinct type of anionic metal-oxygen cluster formed from transition metals with high valence. They are nanoscale-sized molecules with clearly defined molecular structures.
POMs offer unique advantages in various fields, such as biomimetics, molecular electronics, theranostics, energy conversion, and catalysis. However, they have drawbacks such as high crystalline energies (difficult to process), limited solubility in organic media, and poor recyclability in liquid media (low catalytic efficiency), severely restricting their applicability.
In addition, their molecular composition hinders technological implementation due to increased leaching, degradation, and low reactivity, especially when demanding applications like electrolysis, heat catalysis or extremely acidic/basic solutions are targeted. Therefore, POM research has increasingly focused on immobilizing POMs on diverse substrates.
While much early research focused on semiconductor and metal oxide supports, the latest research has shown that the integration of POM in soft matter matrices such as hydrogels, stimuli-responsive matrices, and polymers has led to significant advances in multifunctional composite design.
How are Polyoxometalates Embedded in Soft-Matter?
Two primary strategies for integrating polyoxometalates into soft matter matrices are covalent (Class-I hybrids) and non-covalent bonds (Class-II hybrids).
Integrating polyoxometalates in soft matter organic films is viable for various applications. This provides highly stable systems, and adding functional polymers improves the polyoxometalates' characteristics.
Advantages
Polyoxometalate soft matter composites’ distinctive qualities, such as oxygen-rich surfaces, strong acidity, chemical adaptability, electron-accepting capacity, and their wide range of sizes, nuclearities, and structures, make them potential building blocks for manufacturing functional materials.
They are highly stable during electrochemical application because of their quick reversible multielectron redox transitions and adjustable redox characteristics. This makes them an attractive material for developing proton exchange membranes for fuel cell systems.
Limitations
Integrating polyoxometalates into soft matter polymeric building blocks has been a common strategy for producing hybrid materials for a long time. While this technique easily offers access to hybrid materials, there are certain downsides, such as cargo leakage due to anion exchange, polymer composition limitations due to protonation sites, and poor stability in some situations.
Industrial Applications of Polyoxometalates Soft Matter Composites Biomedical Applications
The persistent growth of bacterial multidrug resistance emphasizes the need to discover new antibacterial substances.
Polyoxometalates soft matter composites have promising antibacterial properties and are thus being explored as potential future medications for treating bacterial infections.
Polyoxometalates have been used in various biological applications, including antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer treatments. However, for in vivo treatment, reducing their toxicity, enhancing their selectivity, and modifying their mechanism of action are essential. Therefore, polyoxometalates soft matter composites are ideal for achieving these objectives.
Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Sensing Applications
Polyoxometalates are highly sensitive to pH, temperature, electricity, and light changes. By incorporating conductive soft organic polymers into thin sheets, polyoxometalates may also be used in sensors, theranostics, catalysis, and redox.
This enables substrates to directly access redox-active polyoxometalates via the conductive polymers.
Molecular Electronics
In electronics, polyoxometalate soft matter composites have received minimal attention, with most investigations concentrating on the deposition of polyoxometalates on semiconductor or metal surfaces.
Image Credit: Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock.com
Soft-matter polymers' flexibility, scalability, and processability, combined with polyoxometalates' adjustable redox and spin states, have demonstrated significant promise for developing nano-scale devices and modules for molecular electronics.
Engineering durable and useful soft polymers that contribute to the device's performance, and understanding how to manage the polyoxometalate distribution within such hybrid materials, is crucial for the future development of molecular electronics.
Catalysis and Energy Storage
Catalysis is the most popular application of polyoxometalates. It uses these molecules' capacity to quickly receive electrons and create electrochemically reduced clusters. Due to their unique energy storage and conversion properties, polyoxometalate soft matter composites are used in fuel cells, supercapacitors, batteries, and electro-catalysis.
Summary and Future Outlooks
Polyoxometalates soft matter composites are flexible materials that integrate inorganic and organic chemistry. They have created new opportunities to use the synergies in these domains to create applications in molecular electronics, energy storage, and biomedicine. However, their molecular to macroscopic characterization remains challenging.
Experimental and theoretical efforts are being combined to better understand the properties of a single polyoxometalate site within a particular soft matter matrix, which is essential to gaining insight into the complicated behavior of these materials.
More from AZoM: How are Bacteria Used in Materials Development? References and Further Reading
Kruse, J. H., Langer, M., Romanenko, I., Trentin, I., Hernández‐Castillo, D., González, L., ... & Streb, C. (2022). Polyoxometalate‐Soft Matter Composite Materials: Design Strategies, Applications, and Future Directions. Advanced Functional Materials, 2208428. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202208428
Gao, Y., Choudhari, M., Such, G. K., & Ritchie, C. (2021). Polyoxometalates as chemically and structurally versatile components in self-assembled materials. Chemical science, 13(9), 2510–2527. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1sc05879g
Roy, S. (2014). Soft-oxometalates beyond crystalline polyoxometalates: formation, structure and properties. CrystEngComm, 16(22), 4667-4676. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CE00115J
Wang, D., Liu, L., Jiang, J., Chen, L., & Zhao, J. (2020). Polyoxometalate-based composite materials in electrochemistry: state-of-the-art progress and future outlook. Nanoscale, 12(10), 5705-5718. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NR10573E
Zhai, L., & Li, H. (2019). Polyoxometalate-Polymer Hybrid Materials as Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(19), 3425. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24193425
Zhang, B., Yin, P., Haso, F., Hu, L., & Liu, T. (2014). Soft matter approaches for enhancing the catalytic capabilities of polyoxometalate clusters. Journal of Cluster Science, 25(3), 695-710. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-013-0643-7


This past Memorial Day, professionals in the coffee and beer industries gathered for SheBrews, an afternoon of education, networking, and empowerment. BY RAECHEL HURD SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE Cover photo by Tyler Malone
SheBrews is a concept that presented itself at an after-party for the United States Barista Championship qualifying event in Austin, Texas. Randi Hensley (director of operations for Epoch Coffee) and Emily Jackson (of A Better Cup Consulting) had a conversation that lasted hours after the party was over. Both women agreed there seemed to be something missing: a place for women to gather in the male-dominated craft beverage industries. Even with plenty of industry events occurring, there was a noticeable lack of space for women to take part on equal footing with their male colleagues.
The SheBrews Symposium was created as a way for them to take the temperature of the room. The event focused on exploring the intersection of the craft beer and specialty coffee industries. Joining Randi and Emily were coffee professionals Allison Kissell (general manager, Caffé Medici), Britt Allen (coffee educator, Wright Bros Brew & Brew), and Raechel Hurd (coffee educator, Epoch Coffee—and the writer of this article). Together, these women planned to bring coffee and beer professionals under one roof to create a space for skill sharing, networking, and discussion.
The symposium featured beer and coffee tastings alongside a guided sensory skills workshop. The event concluded with a Q&A panel featuring leaders in the local craft beer and coffee industry and culminated in a social hour. Women representing Hops & Grain Brewery, Zilker Brewing Company, Epoch Coffee, and Greater Goods Roasting Company served samples while attendees socialized on the patio of Lemon Lounge, a female-owned-and-operated event space.
Attendees grazed the tasting booths and then broke into groups to rotate through guided sensory workshops. Cicerones Lindsay Compton (server, Uchiko) and Brandy Compton (server, Barley Swine) led the beer sensory workshop. Using a flavor wheel that echoes its coffee counterpart, these Cicerones took their groups through a brief history of beer, followed by an introduction to beer tasting vocabulary. A reference table sat next to the groups, containing examples of defects, aromas, hops, grains, and malts utilized in the beer making process.
Coffee educators Emily Jackson and Raechel Hurd led the coffee sensory workshop. Each attendee consumed a sour cherry candy with their nose plugged, identifying the differences between the olfactory and gustatory systems. A blind coffee tasting and food pairing exercise allowed the group to re-evaluate their sensory vocabulary. Participants found many connections between the sensory vocabulary of coffee and beer; these connections led to curious and thoughtful dialogues.
While these workshops occurred, Randi and Allison held an interactive activity outside on the patio. This icebreaker aimed to identify topics that attendees wished to see covered in future events. The issue of diversifying the workplace was brought up on several occasions. It is important to note that the SheBrews Symposium was a stepping stone for future events, and with many ideas brought forth during the interactive discussion, this event will be the first of many more to come.
The symposium ended with a panel discussion featuring heavy hitters in their respective industries. The lineup included: Corina Guillory (owner, CoffeeSock), Erica Foster (owner, Flitch Coffee), Jill Fountain (co-owner, Macchinisti), Rachael Hackathorn (taproom and events manager, Zilker Brewing Co.), Sheila Garcia (director of sales and marketing, Hops & Grain Brewing), and Averie Swanson (head brewer, Jester King Brewery). These panelists addressed a multitude of questions asked by moderator Emily Jackson, including: “How do you promote a forward and healthy environment for your staff?” and “Have you been in a mentorship role? How would you envision being a mentor if that opportunity presented itself?” While some panelists had concrete mentors in their industries, others had to forge their own paths. We learned that there is more than one way to become successful in our industries, but a broader takeaway is that hard work and knowledge are powerful tools, regardless of the obstacles placed before you. These are difficult questions, many of which have no clear and easy answers. This is why we need to create room for women to explore these questions.
As the panel gathered momentum, it seemed as if it was time to wrap things up, but attendees continued to explore their challenges and triumphs in the social hour after the panel. This allowed for even more discussion among the audience, who demonstrated a hunger for more information and dialogue equal to their passion for their industry and careers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Raechel Hurd is a coffee educator at Epoch Coffee. She splits her time between rock climbing, hanging out with dogs, and watching latte art pours on Instagram.


Regional Antarctic snow accumulation over the past 1000 years
Here we present Antarctic snow accumulation variability at the regional scale over the past 1000 years. A total of 79 ice core snow accumulation records were gathered and assigned to seven geographical regions, separating the high-accumulation coastal zones below 2000 m of elevation from the dry central Antarctic Plateau. The regional composites of annual snow accumulation were evaluated against modelled surface mass balance (SMB) from RACMO2.3p2 and precipitation from ERA-Interim reanalysis. With the exception of the Weddell Sea coast, the low-elevation composites capture the regional precipitation and SMB variability as defined by the models. The central Antarctic sites lack coherency and either do not represent regional precipitation or indicate the model inability to capture relevant precipitation processes in the cold, dry central plateau. Our results show that SMB for the total Antarctic Ice Sheet (including ice shelves) has increased at a rate of 7 ± 0.13 Gt decade−1 since 1800 AD, representing a net reduction in sea level of ∼ 0.02 mm decade−1 since 1800 and ∼ 0.04 mm decade−1 since 1900 AD. The largest contribution is from the Antarctic Peninsula (∼ 75 %) where the annual average SMB during the most recent decade (2001–2010) is 123 ± 44 Gt yr−1 higher than the annual average during the first decade of the 19th century. Only four ice core records cover the full 1000 years, and they suggest a decrease in snow accumulation during this period. However, our study emphasizes the importance of low-elevation coastal zones, which have been under-represented in previous investigations of temporal snow accumulation.
Details
Publication status:
Published
Author(s):
Authors: Thomas, Elizabeth R. ORCID record for Elizabeth R. Thomas, van Wessem, J. Melchior, Roberts, Jason, Isaksson, Elisabeth, Schlosser, Elisabeth, Fudge, Tyler J., Vallelonga, Paul, Medley, Brooke, Lenaerts, Jan, Bertler, Nancy, van den Broeke, Michiel R., Dixon, Daniel A., Frezzotti, Massimo, Stenni, Barbara, Curran, Mark, Ekaykin, Alexey A.


Transcriptome sequencing is important to researchers because they help us understand how the cellular machinery interprets genomic sequences and alterations to these sequences. They’re also necessary for a lot of functional analyses. It is impossible to conduct RNA-seq research to explore differential gene expression or predict which proteins are present in a tissue or organism without proper transcriptome annotations.
Now that sequencing technology has advanced to the point where it may soon be possible to generate high-quality genome references and transcriptome annotations for a considerably wider range of organisms, including unicellular eukaryotes, at a lower cost than previously possible. While genomes will soon be assembled into chromosome-scale scaffolds with reasonable reliability, technological limitations prevent transcriptome annotation techniques from identifying genes and isoforms expressed from these chromosomes.
High-quality ‘centromere-to-telomere’ genome sequences can now be built using a combination of technologies such as short-read sequencing, linked short-read sequencing, long-read sequencing, and optical mapping. And genome assembly is now entering a golden age. Non-model organisms ranging from unicellular eukaryotes to polar bears will benefit greatly from these powerful and relatively inexpensive approaches, which previously lacked the attention and large sums of money required to generate a high-quality genome reference the hard way—chromosome maps, Sanger sequencing of bacterial artificial chromosome libraries, and so on.
The majority of these genome-assembly breakthroughs aren’t applicable to transcriptome annotation. Short- and long-read sequencing techniques are now utilized for transcriptome annotation, however, they both have flaws that make achieving a "reference-level" transcriptome annotation both time-consuming and often difficult.
Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing Workflow for Isoforms
300 ng of total RNA is used for isoform sequencing. Following the selection of poly-A RNA, it is transformed to cDNA in preparation for library assembly. Additionally, up to 12 samples can be multiplexed for a simplified, cost-effective method.
After the sequencing data is obtained, reads flanked by cDNA primers and poly-A tails are selected as full-length reads. The readings can then be grouped by transcript isoform to produce a unique consensus.
The isoforms can then be mapped to a reference genome, and tools like SQANTI and Maker can be used to annotate the isoforms in a reference-based way. Iso-Seq analysis from PacBio features push-button bioinformatics procedures to handle the isoform data without the need for reference genomes or annotations for a de novo method.
Applications of Full-Length Transcript Sequencing
Genome annotation is the first application of full-length transcript sequences. This is particularly useful in plant and animal sciences, where genomes are frequently significantly more complicated than human genomes and a reference-quality genome assembly may still be prohibitively expensive.
Full-length transcripts are also helping to characterize genes in humans that were previously difficult to identify due to segmental duplications. The researchers looked at 19 gene families with long segmental duplications that are expressed in the brain and discovered that nearly half of the expressed gene duplicates had changed significantly from their ancestral models due to novel transcription initiation, splicing, and polyadenylation sites.
Others have employed full-length RNA sequencing to analyze alternative splicing and polyadenylation profiles in a similar way, but this time between species.
References Gao X, Guo F, Chen Y, et al. Full-length transcriptome analysis provides new insights into the early bolting occurrence in medicinal Angelica sinensis. Scientific Reports.2021 Jun 21;11(1). He Z, Su Y, Wang T. Full-Length Transcriptome Analysis of Four Different Tissues of Cephalotaxus oliveri. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2021 Jan;22(2). Byrne A, Cole C, Volden R, Vollmers C. Realizing the potential of full-length transcriptome sequencing. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 2019 Nov 25;374(1786).


The current crisis engulfing Lebanon poses a range of health, economic and social challenges that threaten the well-being of a generation of children. The coronavirus (COVID-19) and the dire situation in Lebanon have made the life of children harder. Those who witnessed both the Beirut explosion and the unprecedented economic crisis, directly and indirectly, also suffer from various psychological problems threatening their mental health, such as anxiety and nightmares. Moreover, when coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, with one or both parents jobless, these households can’t afford to meet basic needs like food or medicine. Children feel insecure. Sometimes, they are forced into child labor to generate family income. Without proper support, those children might face long-term consequences.
The SSVP Lebanon launched an exciting project for some of these children: While enjoying a one-month summer camp (from August 2nd to September 2nd), they were cared for by specialists and mentors who guided them out of the day-to-day suffering.
This summer camp was organized under the supervision of a Vincentian school psychologist. 55 children from poor backgrounds were gathered in three different groups. They were excited about spending their time with volunteers and mentors (indoor and outdoor activities, field trips…). The team had the opportunity to monitor the children in the normal setting of a summer camp and helped them talk about their fears and worries, which were mainly due to the dire situation in Lebanon. They accompanied them in the process of strengthening their prosocial behavior. Topics covered were mainly school bullying, cyber harassment, self-defense (how to say no), how to behave in presence of persons with special needs, etc.
The psychologist and the team met with the parents for half a day, and shared feedback. Parents were unanimous about the positive changes in their children’s attitudes. Follow-up sessions for parents will be scheduled during the school year to embrace new topics such as communication with children; emotions, stress physiology, regulations, and the role of adults; non-violent communication and empathetic approach; fraternal jealousy; and the teenager’s behavior with parents.
This summer camp was relaxing and informative for all participants: children, parents and instructors. They learned from each other: children had fun; parents learned from the school psychologist how to deal with specific difficult issues; and instructors gained experience. All of them had the chance to see how the Vincentian spirit works.


Objective: In this study the factors associated with juvenile delinquency were investigated by focusing on childhood trauma and dissociative experiences. Methods: Forty male adolescents (13-15 years old) referred to Yuzuncu Yil University, Medicine Faculty, Department of Psychiatry for forensic psychiatric evaluation and 40 male adolescents with mild infectious disease from pediatric outpatient clinic as control subjects were included in the study. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES) and Attitudes toward Delinquency Scale (ADS) were administered to the children to collect data. Result: Compared to control group, emotional abuse scores of juvenile delinquents were significantly higher. There was no significant difference between groups for CTQ emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect and total scores. The ADS scores of juvenile delinquents were found significantly higher than control group. While the A-DES passive influence scores of juvenile delinquents significantly higher than control group, there were no differences for A-DES amnesia, absorbsion, depersonalition and total scores between two groups. The ADS scores of juvenile delinquents were significantly associated with CTQ scores except for physical neglect whereas the ADS scores of control subjects were only associated with emotional abuse scores. Lower economical level, A-DES passive influence, CTQ emotional neglect and ADS scores were significant predictors of delinquency in logistic regression model. Conclusion: Socioeconomical factors, traumatic experiences and passive influence tendency of juvenile boys are associated with attitudes toward delinquency and delinquent behaviours through reciprocal influences and feedback. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2011; 12:68-75)


Pilots, military personnel, and medical professionals all go through simulations before entering the workforce. Why don’t we routinely do the same in business?
Business simulations are the bridge between classroom learning and real-life challenges. They are a hands-on learning method that imitates the real world, allowing your people to practice and improve their business acumen in a safe, risk-free environment.


Ending toxic mercury lighting
The Clean Lighting Coalition supports a global shift to mercury-free lighting through the Minamata Convention.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury was launched in 2013 with the goal to “Make Mercury History” by eliminating the use of mercury in products and processes worldwide. It is named after the city of Minamata, Japan, which experienced widespread mercury poisoning after wastewater from a nearby chemical plant was discharged into the sea.
The Convention entered into force in 2017 following ratification by 50 countries. Currently, 135 parties have ratified the Convention. Major highlights of the Minamata Convention include a ban on new mercury mines and phase-out of existing ones, the phase-out and phase-down of mercury use in a number of products and processes, control measures on emissions to air and on releases to land and water, and the regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
Despite this progress, the Convention includes special exemptions for mercury-based fluorescent lighting products, citing insufficient cost-effective alternatives across global markets. However, the rapid development and increasing accessibility and affordability of mercury-free LED lighting makes the exemption unnecessary. Eliminating special exemptions for fluorescent lighting products at the next Conference of Parties (COP4) would lead to a global phase-out by 2025 and accelerate a transition to LED lighting.
Phasing out fluorescent lighting has widespread benefits, including:
Eliminate 232 metric tons of mercury pollution, avoiding toxicity to humans and ecosystems Financial savings for consumers Reduce global power demand by 3% Cut 3.5 GT of carbon emissions cumulatively by 2050, the equivalent of eliminating every passenger car on the road worldwide for one year.


Resumen
Introduction: Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a minimally invasive procedure frequently used in patients with chronic migraine (CM); however, the quality of the evidence supporting its use is still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review, meta-analysis and quality assessment of GONB local anaesthetics combined or not with corticosteroids to prevent CM. Methods: We searched Medline, Scopus and Web of Science up to October 2020. We included randomized control trials (RCT) and observational studies assessing GONB without language restrictions. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias independently. The primary outcomes measured to assess efficacy were the change from baseline in the intensity and frequency of headache in the intervention group compared to placebo at a onetime point. We performed a meta-analysis with random effect models, and we evaluated random errors with trial sequential analysis (TSA). We assessed the risk of bias (ROB) with the ROB2 tool and the certainty of the evidence with GRADE. Results: We identified 2864 studies in the databases and included three RCTs for quantitative synthesis. Most ROB assessments were ‘high risk’ or ‘some concerns’. GONB reduced the intensity of headaches at the end of the first month (MD: −1.35, 95% CI: −2.12 to −0.59) and the second month (MD: -2.10, CI 95%: −2.94 to −1.26) as well as the frequency of headaches (first month: MD: −4.45 days, 95% CI: −6.56 to −2.34 days; second month: MD: -5.49, 95% CI −8.94 to −2.03 days). Corticosteroids did not show a significant decrease in the frequency of headaches during the first month of treatment (MD: −1.1 days, 95% CI: −4.1 to 1.8, p =.45). Included trials reported similar adverse events between groups. The exploratory TSA showed inconclusive results. Overall, the quality of the evidence was very low because of the substantial risk of bias and imprecision. Conclusion: The limited evidence available shows that GONB with local anaesthetics could reduce headache frequency and intensity compared to placebo, while adding corticosteroids did not show additional benefits. GONB was safe with a similar number of minor adverse events. However, our confidence in these estimates is very low since the evidence is based on a few trials, with a small sample size and a significant risk of bias. In addition, the exploratory TSA was inconclusive, so we need larger and specific trials.


Exercises Q: Could you explain the following exercise clearly - hams stretching physio and isometric lumbar physio? A:Hamstring stretching, as the name suggests, is for Hamstring muscle test. Sit with the legs stretched and try to touch your toes. You should be adequately flexible through the mid-back, lower back and hamstrings and shoulders. The greater the distance you are away from touching your toes, the less fit and flexible you are. Well, different physical limitations might produce false impressions. A perfect sit and reach should demonstrate an even symmetrical curve throughout the back and hip. The term Isometric exercise means tensing a muscle and holding it in a stationary position while maintaining the tension. These exercises are especially helpful to people recovering from injuries that limit range of motion. Isometric lumbar would therefore mean tensing the lumbar muscles (Quadratus Lumborum, Iliocostalis lumborum). Test: Face lying extend lumbar spine until upper part of the thorax is raised from the table. If you suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure, you should not attempt these exercises.


Brushing your teeth is part of your daily oral hygiene routine, and toothpaste is a necessity for fresh breath and a clean mouth. Unfortunately, toothpaste inevitably ends up on your clothes once in a while. Luckily, it can be treated with straightforward methods using products you have at home.
It’s pretty straightforward to remove toothpaste stains from fabric and other surfaces. You can just use regular laundry detergent and a few gentle rubs. Using hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar is also a simple and effective option for getting rid of stray toothpaste.
Table of Contents
Remove toothpaste stains on clothes with liquid laundry detergent
One of the components of some toothpaste is the titanium dioxide powder, which clings on the fabrics of your clothes. In this method, the use of liquid laundry detergent is the only way to lift toothpaste stains by loosening the grip of titanium dioxide powder on fabrics. You can employ this method when dealing with light and stubborn toothpaste stains.
Dealing with light toothpaste stain using laundry detergent alone
This is a gentle approach using liquid laundry detergent, since light toothpaste stains are easy to get rid of. The use of a microfiber towel for gentle scrubbing is ideal when toothpaste stains are on clothes because it is non-abrasive.
Scrape the dried toothpaste off your clothes using a dull knife. Moisten a clean cloth with lukewarm water and use it to wipe excess toothpaste stains off your clothes’ fabric. Add 2 to 3 drops of liquid laundry detergent in a cup of water to make a solution. Mix well until it forms a lather. Wet a microfiber towel by dipping it in the solution and use it to scrub the toothpaste stain on your clothes. After 3 to 5 minutes, rinse the stained area by wiping off the foamy layer caused by scrubbing with a clean, damp cloth. Hang the clothing afterwards and allow it to air dry. Eliminating toothpaste stains using white vinegar and laundry detergent
This approach uses agitation to get rid of settling stubborn toothpaste stains on fabrics. Also, the use of distilled white vinegar in this technique will serve as the pre-treatment to slough off toothpaste stains on clothes. This is because of the fabric softening property of vinegar. You can use this approach in white and colored toothpaste-stained clothes.
Remove the excess toothpaste on clothes using any blunt-surfaced object. Wipe the stained area with a pre-moistened cloth or baby wipes. Make a solution by mixing one part of distilled white vinegar to two parts water. Use this solution to wet the toothpaste stain. Let it sit for two to three minutes. Then prepare a mixture using a few drops of liquid laundry detergent with 1 cup of water. Moisten the stained area (the area you previously wet with the white vinegar solution), using the mixture you prepared. Scrub the area using a soft-bristled brush for a minute or two. Rinse the area and air dry.
The direct application of the detergent on clothes will require more effort when rinsing. To lessen your work, you must dilute the liquid laundry detergent with water when using any of the two liquid laundry detergent methods.
Using hydrogen peroxide to remove toothpaste stains on clothes
This method is a desperate measure when gel toothpaste is the one responsible for staining your clothes. Usually, gel toothpaste stains are more stubborn and can cause a deep discoloration on your fabrics. This method uses hydrogen peroxide to bleach the discolored fabric. With its bleaching effect, you can only apply this method when eliminating gel toothpaste stains from white clothes.
Pour a generous amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball. Use this to moisten the toothpaste-stained area. Allow it to sit for at least two minutes. Rinse the area with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water. Dry the area by blotting with a paper towel or any absorbent cloth.
When encountering a gel toothpaste stain, it is better to respond quickly to keep it from setting in and causing discoloration.
Removing toothpaste stains on carpet and upholstery
Although a rare event, toothpaste can also stain carpet and upholstery. These surfaces cannot be subjected to washing, so you must work diligently with the toothpaste stains individually. The removal of this stain from carpet and upholstery needs the gentlest approach to avoid further damaging these kinds of fabrics.
Create a liquid mild dish soap and water solution. Apply this solution on stained spots using a clean cloth. Let it sit for a minute, then wipe the toothpaste stains by making an upward-lifting motion until toothpaste stains are removed. Blot the solution out of your carpet or upholstery using a paper towel. Afterward, rinse the area with a wet cloth. Blow-dry when necessary.
You will notice that this method is like the previous procedures. However, you must emphasize the upward-lifting motion when removing toothpaste stains to take care of your fabrics. Unlike removing toothpaste stains on clothes, dislodging the excess dried toothpaste is not that important because it can impose a risk of further damage.
Common questions about toothpaste stains Can toothpaste bleach black clothes?
Toothpaste does not only stain black clothes but it can also bleach them. This happens when whitening toothpaste comes in contact with your black or dark-colored clothes. The reason for the bleaching is mainly due to the hydrogen peroxide composition of this type of toothpaste.
How do you remove whitening toothpaste stains?
Whitening toothpaste has hydrogen peroxide that can stain your fabrics and bleach them at the same time. To promptly remove whitening toothpaste stains, you must use a non-citrus based liquid hand soap to lift the stain before bleaching occurs. You can strictly follow these steps:
Remove the whitening toothpaste as soon as possible by wiping it off using a moistened cloth until no excess toothpaste remains. Create a mixture of water and liquid hand soap. Dip a sponge in the mixture. Scrub the stained area using the sponge. Rinse with a clean cloth, dampened with lukewarm water, and air dry. How does gel toothpaste stain white clothes?
Gel toothpaste usually contains a dye responsible for any discoloration on your fabrics when there is prolonged contact. The dye can form streaked or spotted stains on your white clothes, but you can still remove it by using liquid laundry detergent. Afterwards, you must hang your clothes in direct sunlight because sun rays have a natural bleaching effect, which can bring back your white clothes.
Final thoughts
Toothpaste is soluble with water, so is the stain it leaves behind. Although toothpaste stains are easy to eradicate using only common household products, toothpaste stains on some fabrics need special care. In a rare event like this, it is better to rely on professionals to remove them. But most often, fabrics that caught toothpaste stains are manageable through the help of simple methods.


SD-WAN enables enterprises to move away from legacy MPLS networks, private lines, and other more costly forms of connectivity, which solves for business challenges of providing a modern network that is global, secure, agile, and more affordable.
As we settle into new ways of working remotely, it is crucial for company IT leadership to manage their workforce in terms of security, communications, and applications being used. Since employees are not able to use the network and applications previously available from being in office, and security risks are peaking, it has become crucial to continue updating these strategies and technologies to reflect the changing times we are living in.
The most significant innovation to WAN technology in the last 20 years, SD-WAN has quickly established itself as a more agile and reliable than traditional branch routers, offering benefits that create value for an entire business.


The so-called sanitary and phytosanitary measures have always been a thorny issue in trade negotiations. The core WTO SPS Agreement provides countries with a general framework, but some seek a deeper cooperation in their trade agreements. Such was with the EU and two recent trade agreements it signed: the CETA (with Canada) and the EU-UK TCA (with the UK). This short study is based on a principal hypothesis: that given the UK’s previous status as an EU member state, the EU and the UK would work more closely together on harmonizing SPS rules compared to the EU and Canada. To determine the hypothesis’ veracity, it aims to compare and contrast the SPS chapters in the CETA and the EU-UK TCA, with some contextualization from the core WTO SPS Agreement.
Opponensek: Horváthy Balázs (tudományos munkatárs, TK JTI), Víg Zoltán (adjunktus, SZTE ÁJTK)
dőpont: 2022. november 10. 10:00
Helyszín: TK JTI tanácsterem; az esemény hibrid formában kerül megrendezésre. Link a csatlakozáshoz: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3a9bc67b8ba0b74d038a496fd05bd8c73d%40thread.tacv2/1666896559499?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22dfdc0203-79f4-4b7a-b4f3-caca1106f02f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22af7f5a56-ad68-4921-abaa-b3e2358ad6de%22%7d
A vita nyelve: magyar


Where a retail building envelope is not complete and glazing will be provided by the future tenant/(s), there are two options available:
A ‘Green fit-out agreement’ (see Definition under this Issue in the technical manual) can be used to ensure that the performance level of the glazing used in the energy model is met in the completed building. This must be accompanied by evidence that the performance of the assumed glazing does not impose overly onerous requirements on future tenants and that it falls within the scope of glazing typically used in retail developments.
Alternatively, the assessment can be based on worst permissible performance under the relevant national building regulations.
In all cases, for shell only assessments, the assessment method detailed in CN1 (for UK New Construction 2014 and International New Construction 2016) and Assessment type specific note 1.3 (for UK New Construction 2018 and UKNC V6) must be followed.
24/08/2022 - Reference and applicability to UKNC V6 added 14 11 2017 Wording amended to clarify the intent


Have you been receiving bloated water bills in the last few months? You have to take immediate measures before the problem affects your financial plans. Luckily, you can use numerous strategies to cut down your water bills, putting more cash in your pocket. Here are some of them:
1. Hire an Expert to Fix Leaks and Drips
A leaky faucet might seem like a small problem. However, the tiny drops will drip thousands of times a day, increasing your water bill. That is why you should never ignore any leakage problem in your house. Instead, hire an expert to repair your leaking faucet, showerhead, toilets, and pipes. Handling the problem yourself is not advisable because the problem might worsen, increasing your repair cost or causing havoc in your house.
For example, you might damage pipes if you decide to engrave the wall to determine the genesis of a leaking problem. It is likely to cause flooding, which may damage items or compromise the integrity of your home. However, you can handle some repairs yourself if you have the necessary tools. For instance, you don’t have to hire a plumber if you only need to tighten a leaking component to stop a leaking problem.
2. Don’t Let Rain Water Go to Waste
Most household chores require clean water to prevent health complications. However, you don’t have to use it to water your garden or clean your car. Instead, you can use rainwater, which will help you save some money on your utility bills. It would help if you collected as much water as possible during the rainy season. Buy and install rain barrels on your gutters to ensure that you have enough water by the rainy season ends. However, it is advisable to check your local regulations before installation to avoid trouble with the authorities.
3. Change Your Lawn Care Strategies
Changing your lawn care strategies is also advisable to save on water usage. Start by changing your watering pattern. For example, you can decide to water your lawn early in the morning or in the evening when the sun goes down. It will prevent evaporation, reducing the amount of water you need to keep your lawn looking fresh and green.
You can also consider installing artificial grass in your compound. It does not require watering, which will help to bring down your water bill. However, you need professional installation services to enable you to enjoy the benefits of plastic grass. For example, if you get an artificial turf installation in Fort Worth, your lawn will last for years with minimal maintenance.
A professional company will explain the different types of artificial turf to help you make an informed decision. They will then recommend the most favorable grass for your sports field, playground, dog runs, and any other requirement. Your expert will then install the artificial grass skillfully to ensure the highest excellence possible.
4. Purchase a New Washing Machine
If your washing machine has outlived its life, consider buying a new one. Your old washer could be the reason why your water bill has been going up, making it essential to invest in a modern one. Today’s appliances have more advanced features that require less water to run.
However, it is advisable to take your time to compare different appliances to ensure that you choose the best in the market. You may also seek the guidance of a professional to help you know the difference between a front loading machine and a top-loading one to enable you to know the most efficient one.
5. Cover Your Pool When it’s Not in Use
Your pool will make you lose a lot of money on utility bills if you don’t take immediate measures to prevent evaporation. You might ignore the issue, thinking that the evaporation does not cause any significant effect. However, you may require more frequent refills, increasing your water bill considerably.
Therefore, it’s advisable to cover your swimming pool when it’s not in use. It will prevent exposure to the sun. It is also an effective way to keep your pool water clean and prevent debris and animals from getting into the pool.
Summary
If you have been wondering how to lower your water bill, the measures above will be a good starting point. They are easy to implement, and they will provide instant results.


Captioning provides access to sounds in audio-visual content for people who are Deaf or Hard-of-hearing (DHH). As user-generated content in online videos grows in prevalence, researchers have explored using automatic speech recognition (ASR) to automate captioning. However, definitions of captions (as compared to subtitles) include non-speech sounds, which ASR typically does not capture as it focuses on speech. Thus, we explore DHH viewers’ and hearing video creators’ perspectives on captioning non-speech sounds in user-generated online videos using text or graphics. Formative interviews with 11 DHH participants informed the design and implementation of a prototype interface for authoring text-based and graphic captions using automatic sound event detection, which was then evaluated with 10 hearing video creators. Our findings include identifying DHH viewers’ interests in having important non-speech sounds included in captions, as well as various criteria for sound selection and the appropriateness of text-based versus graphic captions of non-speech sounds. Our findings also include hearing creators’ requirements for automatic tools to assist them in captioning non-speech sounds.Learn More


Abstract
The links between general intelligence, creativity and wisdom has been widely investigated and documented over the past years. However, there is currently no consensus on how these constructs are related among gifted students. In this study, we aimed to explore the intersections of general intelligence, creativity, and wisdom among sample of gifted adolescent students in Iran. In the academic year of 2019-2020, 532 talented male secondary students aged 15 to 18 studying in private high schools were selected using a purposive sampling method. In total, 70 students who scored 120 or more on the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices, were recognized as gifted and asked to complete the Abedi-Schumacher Creativity Test and the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale. The results indicated that there is a positive and significant correlation between creativity and wisdom (r =.53, p <.001). However, the correlation between general intelligence and wisdom (r =.15, p =.05), and the correlation between general intelligence and creativity (r =.17, p =.05) did not turn out to be meaningful. With regard to the links between creativity and wisdom, it could be concluded that creativity and its development have an important role in the development of wisdom leading to a successful and satisfying life. Future research studies in gifted education, therefore, should prioritize creativity as an attempt for students to achieve development and growth. The current study enriches the empirical research on the interplay between general intelligence, creativity, and wisdom in gifted adolescents living in Iran.
Keywords Adolescence Creativity Gifted students Intelligence Non-western Wisdom ASJC Scopus subject areas Psychology(all)


A Few Tips for Getting Started with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Since its inception, REITs have provided pathways for investors to diversify their investment portfolios through many types of commercial income-producing real estate.
If you’ve ever considered investing in a REIT, here are a few things that you should know before getting started.
What are REITs?
Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) allow individuals to invest in large-scale, income-producing real estate.
A REIT is a company that owns and typically operates income-producing real estate or related assets. These may include office buildings, shopping malls, apartments, hotels, resorts, self-storage facilities, warehouses, mortgages, or loans.
Unlike other real estate companies, a REIT does not develop real estate properties to resell them. Instead, a REIT buys and develops properties to operate them as part of its investment portfolio.
Why would somebody invest in REITs?
REITs provide a way for individual investors to earn a share of the income produced through commercial real estate ownership – without actually having to go out and buy commercial real estate.
What types of REITs are there?
Many REITs are registered with the SEC and are publicly traded on a stock exchange. These are known as publicly-traded REITs.
Others may be registered with the SEC but are not publicly traded. These are known as non-traded REITs (also known as non-exchange traded REITs).
This is one of the most important distinctions among the various kinds of REITs.
Before investing in a REIT, you should understand whether or not it is publicly traded and how this could affect the benefits and risks to you.
What are the benefits and risks of REITs?
REITs offer a way to include real estate in one’s investment portfolio. Additionally, some REITs may offer higher dividend yields than some other investments.
But there are some risks, especially with non-exchange traded REITs.
Because they do not trade on a stock exchange, non-traded REITs involve unique risks:
Lack of Liquidity:Non-traded REITs are illiquid investments. They generally cannot be sold readily on the open market. If you need to sell an asset to raise money quickly, you may not be able to do so with shares of a non-traded REIT. Share Value Transparency:While a publicly traded REIT market price is readily accessible, it can be challenging to determine the value of a share of a non-traded REIT. Non-traded REITs typically do not provide an estimate of their value per share until 18 months after their offering closes. This may be years after you have made your investment. As a result, for a significant period, you may be unable to assess the value of your non-traded REIT investment and its volatility. Distributions May Be Paid from Offering Proceeds and Borrowings:Investors may be attracted to non-traded REITs by their relatively high dividend yields compared to those of publicly-traded REITs. Unlike publicly-traded REITs, however, non-traded REITs frequently pay distributions in excess of their funds from operations. To do so, they may use offering proceeds and borrowings. This practice, typically not used by publicly traded REITs, reduces the value of the shares and the cash available to the company to purchase additional assets. Conflicts of Interest:Non-traded REITs typically have an external manager instead of their employees. This can lead to potential conflicts of interest with shareholders. For example, the REIT may pay the external manager significant fees based on the number of property acquisitions and assets under management. These fee incentives may not necessarily align with the interests of shareholders. How to buy and sell REITs You can invest in a publicly traded REIT listed on a major stock exchange by purchasing shares through a broker. You can purchase shares of a non-traded REIT through a broker that participates in the non-traded REIT’s offering. You can also purchase shares in a REIT mutual fund or REIT exchange-traded fund. Understanding fees and taxes
Publicly traded REITs can be purchased through a broker. Generally, you can purchase the common stock, preferred stock, or debt security of a publicly traded REIT. Brokerage fees will apply.
A broker or financial adviser typically sells Non-traded REITs.
Non-traded REITs generally have high up-front fees. Sales commissions and upfront offering fees usually total approximately 9 to 10 percent of the investment. These costs lower the value of the investment by a significant amount.
Special Tax Considerations
Most REITS pay out at least 100 percent of their taxable income to their shareholders.
The shareholders of a REIT are responsible for paying taxes on the dividends and any capital gains they receive in connection with their investment in the REIT.
Dividends paid by REITs generally are treated as ordinary income and are not entitled to the reduced tax rates on other types of corporate dividends.
Consider consulting your tax adviser before investing in REITs.
Are you considering your options for investing in a REIT?
We’re here to support you. Get in touch with us to learn more about our self-storage investment opportunities.
Safe Storage USA has provided this information from Investor.gov as a service to investors. It is neither legal advice, interpretation nor a statement of SEC policy. If you have questions concerning the meaning or application of a particular law or rule, please consult with an attorney specializing in securities law. Safe Storage USA is not affiliated with Investor.gov


Abstract
Purpose: The prevalence of foodborne illness remains high in Australia. In response, government initiatives have been implemented to inform consumers of ways to safely handle food. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of prompted and unprompted recall of messages from a safe food-handling media campaign in Western Australia, and whether this accuracy of prompted and unprompted recall differed by demographic factors and the mode of delivery of the campaign materials. Design/methodology/approach: Survey responses from 121 participants (Mage = 47.15 years, SD = 15.52) who reported seeing or hearing the campaign were analysed. A series of chi-square tests were used to determine the accuracy of recall when prompted and unprompted, and the accuracy of unprompted and prompted recall across demographic factors and mode of delivery. Findings: Results indicated that more participants accurately recalled the campaign messages when prompted (66.1%) compared to unprompted (35.5%), when they had seen outdoor advertisements (e.g. at bus stops or in shopping malls), and if they were between 30 and 45 years of age. Originality/value: This study is the first to explore the uptake and comprehension of messages from a safe food-handling media campaign. Evaluation of safe food-handling media campaigns has shown some efficacy in relation to behaviour change; however, little is known about the uptake or comprehension of the campaign messages, and factors that may influence this.


Food insecurity refers to the limited or uncertain availability of safe and nutritionally adequate foods; or limited or uncertain ability to obtain such food in a socially acceptable manner. In its most extreme form, known as hunger, individuals can experience physiological conditions such as uneasiness and pain.
Student Basic Needs offers food support through supplemental assistance including the Trojan Food Pantry and the Swipe Out Hunger program. Our goal is to guarantee that every student is food secure, meaning students have access to nutritious options without limitations.


In
Zambrano v. M & RC II LLC, et al., 2022 Ariz. LEXIS 309, the Supreme Court of Arizona held that a homebuilder and homebuyer could not waive or disclaim the implied warranty of workmanship and habitability. While the court would normally enforce a contract between two parties – even if one side made a “bad deal” – they will not do so if the contract’s terms are against public policy.
In this case, Tina Zambrano (Zambrano) signed a purchase agreement with the homebuilder to buy a newly built home. The agreement included provisions which expressly disclaimed any implied warranties, including the warranty of habitability and workmanship. After the purchase, Zambrano claimed that there were construction defects within the home, including popped nails in the drywall and issues with the home’s foundation. Zambrano sued the homebuilder for breach of the implied warranty of workmanship and habitability. The homebuilder moved for summary judgment based on the waivers within the contract and the trial court, agreeing that the waivers applied, dismissed the case. Zambrano appealed and the appellate court reversed the trial court’s decision. The appellate court specifically explained that Arizona has a public policy interest in protecting consumers.
The Supreme Court of Arizona upheld the appellate court’s reversal and agreed that a waiver of the implied warranty of habitability and workmanship is against public policy. However, the state’s high court provided different reasoning than the appellate court for its holding. The court described, in depth, the “vastly unequal bargaining power, expertise, and knowledge” that exists between a homebuilder and homebuyer. The court went on to say that a homebuyer must heavily rely on the builder’s knowledge and skill. Further, homebuyers are not in a position to discover defects lurking within the walls, or those that are covered up during a normal home inspection. The court noted that if such warranty disclaimers were allowed, homebuilders would surely place the provision within every contract, leading to homes potentially sitting in disrepair forever. Further, public policy promotes builders using minimum standards of good workmanship, which conforms to a homebuyer’s reasonable expectations.
In continuing to uphold the implied warranty of workmanship and habitability, the Supreme Court of Arizona seeks to protect unknowing homebuyers from issues that might not reveal themselves for years. Thus, subrogation professionals practicing in Arizona and representing insured homebuyers should look for attempted contractual waivers of the warranty of workmanship and habitability and, if found, argue that the waivers are unenforceable because they are against public policy.


Syntax-Guided Controlled Generation of Paraphrases Abstract
Given a sentence (e.g., "I like mangoes") and a constraint (e.g., negative sentiment), the goal of controlled text generation is to produce a sentence that adapts the input sentence to meet the requirements of the constraint (e.g., "I hate mangoes"). Going beyond such simple constraints, recent works have started exploring the incorporation of complex syntactic-guidance as constraints in the task of controlled paraphrase generation. In these methods, syntactic-guidance is sourced from a separate exemplar sentence. However, these prior works have only utilized limited syntactic information available in the parse tree of the exemplar sentence. We address this limitation in the paper and propose Syntax Guided Controlled Paraphraser (SGCP), an end-to-end framework for syntactic paraphrase generation. We find that SGCP can generate syntax conforming sentences while not compromising on relevance. We perform extensive automated and human evaluations over multiple real-world English language datasets to demonstrate the efficacy of SGCP over state-of-the-art baselines. To drive future research, we have made SGCP’s source code available.
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Just 50 years ago scientific journals dismissed Manuka honey as a “worthless and harmful substance”. In fact, few…
by Aaron Weber January 29, 2019
Discover how honey holds the secret to healing our planet.
Honey is a snapshot of plant landscapes making it a powerful (and tasty!) research tool for understanding ecosystems.
This map reveals the plant origins of honey, informing us about what best feed bees. Each dot represents a data set from our HoneyDNA project, which uses genomics to identify all the plant DNA found in honey samples.


India ventilator market is eyeing robust CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period (2022-2028) due to rising prevalence of respiratory diseases, especially among the geriatric population, along with an increasing rate of premature births. Furthermore, expanding production capacity to address surging ventilator demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic is also expected to drive the market in the coming years.


I was surprised to see how many cases of plastic bread-bag clip ingestion with complications have been previously reported.1 We also had 1 case recently in a 73-year-old woman who had unknowingly ingested a plastic bread-bag clip and subsequently complained of epigastric pain. An upper gastrointestinal barium study suggested gastric ulceration. When we performed a gastroscopy we were surprised to see a plastic bread-bag clip lodged in the pyloris (Fig. 1). The angled teeth of the plastic clip had trapped the pyloric lip and had become deeply embedded. We used a snare to grab the clip and gently pull it out of the gastric mucosa. The clip was removed without sequela and the patient was placed on acid suppression with complete resolution of her symptoms. With regards to the risk factors mentioned by the authors, our patient wore dentures but did not have dementia.
I support Ken Newell and colleagues' suggestion that other forms of bag ties be used or that these clips be physically altered to minimize these occurrences.1


Winter tyres are necessary just not when there is ice and snow on the road, but even when there is no snow and ice on the road. Snow tyres are made to function optimally when the temperatures dip below 7°Celcius. This is due to the materials of winter tyres which enable the tyre to maintain its flexibility in low temperatures, leading to maximum grip and traction on winter roads.
Winter tyres feature a tread pattern designed to withstand heavier rains. These tyres’ patterns contain sipes. These are uniquely made grooves you can find in the tread that improve traction and hold on ice while also distributing water out from the tyre. As a result, when there is water, the chance of aquaplaning is less.
Working of Winter Tyres
Their name implies that they are snow tyres, but they are actually cold weather tyres that perform well in wet, snow, ice, and even on dry but chilly roads. The soft compound of these winter
Continental tyres Derby allows them to grip roadways better in cooler conditions compared to summer and all-season tyres, which have a harsher substance. Their small grooves dig into ice, snow, and mud, quickly dissipating water and assuring greater braking and grip. However, deeper tread patterns collect and grip snow, aiding traction on compact snow, and assisting the tyres to distribute water, lowering the risk of aquaplaning. Pros of winter tyres
The improved traction provided by snow tyres is a compelling argument to install them on your car for the winters. The design of these tyres consists of tread patterns that go deep in and grip the surface in winter conditions. These are also of softer rubber, which allows them to be more flexible in winter circumstances, whereas standard tyres can become harder and prone to cracking in ice conditions. This increased traction minimises the likelihood of becoming stuck and guarantees that your vehicle can stop and manoeuvre in winter conditions
The rubber in summer and all-season tyres starts to get hard at temperatures of seven degrees Celsius or below, highly reducing their ability to grip the ground stably. Winter tyres are designed to provide traction in temperatures at -30 ?.
When the white stuff falls, winter tyres are frequently available in smaller proportions than OEM. The smaller diameter increases the pounds per square inch of applied pressure, allowing the tyres to cut through the snow rather than float on top of it.
Braking becomes critical when the weather is poor. On icy roads, all-season tyres tend to lock and slide, while snow tyres’ higher grip allows them to plunge into the snow and stay on the road, allowing for smoother, more efficient braking. You are more likely to travel safely on the road if you have snow tyres on your car in the winter.
When tyres run over frozen ground, the ice beneath melts, producing a layer of water over which a vehicle may slide uncontrolled. Winter tyres alleviate this unpleasant problem, known as hydroplaning, by including particular grooves that drive water to the sides.
Lengthen the lifespan of your permanent tyres
By choosing snow tyres for the winter season, you will be giving your all-season tyres a well-deserved rest while also prolonging their lifespan. Just remember to take the snow tyres off after winter is over. These
Tyres Derby are built for the winter season and will deteriorate much faster in other seasons. Cons of winter tyres
Although snow tyres are relatively fragile, their outstanding road grip, particularly when coupled with studs, allows them to dig deeply into the asphalt. When you ride with winter tyres on all year, you jeopardise not just your tyres. You also jeopardise the highways that you and other drivers use every day. Those who drive on snow tyres in the summer might cause potholes and other difficulties on the road.
Improper handling in bad weather
Snow tyres increase traction and braking performance. They provide nothing in terms of road handling during seasonal change. It’s basically how they were intended to be. In bad weather, you should drive more cautiously than usual. This is because the grip will be weaker than you are used to in good weather.
The construction of Snow tyres is different from all-season tyres, which makes them more fragile. They will wear out faster in other seasons since they are of a softer rubber than standard tyres. Winter tyres rely on the deep tread to cut through ice and snow, therefore wear is critical. They aren’t meant to be worn all year. As soon as the snow and ice melt, remove your winter tyres and replace them with your standard tyres.
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As our world continues to face the impact of a pandemic, we are being reminded of the need for good immune health. You will often find featured health products on the end cap of grocery aisles like wellness shots, vitamin packets, and probiotic sparkling drinks. These types of products are bringing attention to the significance […]


Cryptocurrency ads are back and overrunning on many news pages and social media sites following a short hiatus.
The Cryptocurrency exchanges had paused their commercials a few weeks earlier. This was after receiving widespread criticism from government of India committees for their false claims. They appeared mostly during the IPL 2020 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket matches.
According to the memo, the proliferation of ads promising massive dissatisfied the government. The government believed that such ads deceive youths and should be prohibited.
However, the impending Bill will not restrict independent cryptocurrencies. And the Indian government’s goal is to control the overall speculative bubble. Certain exchanges, such as CoinDCX and CoinSwitch Kuber, have resumed their promotional activities.
Some have resorted to running targeted advertisements to keep their consumers from deserting the market.
Even if the climate appears to be quasi, crypto exchanges have established a cautious plan to maintain and attract new consumers. This plan will consider the uncertainty over future regulation.
On the subject of advertising, crypto exchanges are close-mouthed
On the other hand, ad experts note that crypto ads entice young Indian buyers using the same method they’ve used for a long time.
According to Rohit Raj, VP Strategy & Consulting at Dentsu Impact, India’s demographic edge and cryptocurrency are a winning combination.
To assure that customers do not confuse these commodities for official currency, the Advertising Standards Council of India talked with the government about incorporating proper risk information in crypto advertisements.
During ICC Twenty20 World Cup and IPL, the bitcoin exchange peaked. The exchangers spent more than Rs 50 crore.
As per industry watchers, the ad campaign may have exacerbated political and legal worries about digital currencies and the ads that support them. As a result, withoutÂ regulatory clarification, the exchanges avoided running ads.
Exchanges for cryptocurrencies are expecting the government to set promotional regulations. The administration is likely to do this within the next month and create a wide structure for cryptocurrencies.
Law enforcement is on the watch for the crypto ad industry until then.


Abstract
Studies are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy, and the levels of protection provided to their newborns through placental transfer of antibodies. Here, we evaluate the transplacental transfer of mRNA vaccine products and functional anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during pregnancy and early infancy in a cohort of 20 individuals vaccinated during late pregnancy. We find no evidence of mRNA vaccine products in maternal blood, placenta tissue, or cord blood at delivery. However, we find time-dependent efficient transfer of IgG and neutralizing antibodies to the neonate that persists during early infancy. Additionally, using phage immunoprecipitation sequencing, we find a vaccine-specific signature of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein epitope binding that is transplacentally transferred during pregnancy. Timing of vaccination during pregnancy is critical to ensure transplacental transfer of protective antibodies during early infancy.


Vascular Closure Device (VCD) Market will reach US$ 963 million value towards the end of 2022: Steady Uptake for VCDs in Independent Catheterisation Labs
Clinical use of arterial closure devices, also known as vascular closure devices, has experienced a substantial growth over the past decade. With rising incidence of cardiac disorders, new and improved cardiovascular treatments have been developed, which have further propelled the adoption of vascular closure devices (VCDs). According to a recently-published market study by Future Market Insights, the global market for
Vascular Closure Devices will expand steadily at a CAGR of 5.9%, and reach US$ 963 million over the forecast period, 2017-2022. Compared to manual compression techniques, vascular closure devices play a key role in lowering undue complications such as bleeding.
However, increasing use of transradial arterial access, the continued requirement for post-procedure bed rest, significant costs, and device deployment complexities are observed as key deterrents for adoption of vascular closure devices. The use of VCDs is also anticipated to be influenced by a significant increase in the number of outpatient PCI procedures and the desire of patients to avoid arterial cut-down procedures. According to the report, hospitals will be the largest end-users of vascular closure devices in the next five years. By the end of 2022, over
US$ 600 million revenues are anticipated to be procured globally from the end-use of vascular closure devices in hospitals. Clip-based VCDs to Register 6% CAGR through 2022
A key insight from the report reveals that the demand for clip-based vascular closure devices will be relatively higher than compression devices and haemostasis pads. Despite the latter being top-selling products in the global vascular closure devices market, clip-based VCDs are expected to outpace them in terms of demand over the next five years. From medical standpoint, many surgeons prefer VCDs designed with active approximators that can physically close the arteriotomy by using nitinol clips. These metallic clips can also restrict MRI scanners from capturing the unnecessary structures which are immediately adjacent to the arteriotomy. These clip-based VCDs can boost procedural efficiency as well as post-procedural diagnostics for a wide range of cardiovascular treatments.
To remain ‘ahead’ of your competitors, request for a sample- https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1809 North America to Exhibit Steadfast Adoption of Vascular Closure Devices
A regional analysis provided in the report reveals North America as the largest market for vascular closure devices. The region is anticipated to remain at the forefront of global expansion of vascular closure devices market through 2022. Robust healthcare marketplaces in the US, coupled with consumer lifestyles that have surged the incidence of cardiac disorders, will continue to boost North America’s presence in the global vascular closure devices market. The report also projects that Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will register fastest growth in its vascular closure devices market, and rake over
US$ 145 million by the end of 2022. Get a Customized Scope to Match Your Need Ask an Expert- https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-1809 Companies to Watch
Companies namely, Abbott Laboratories, Terumo Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., Medtronic plc, Cardiva Medical, Inc., Arstasis, Inc., Chitogen, Inc., Marine Polymer Technologies, Inc., Essential Medical, Inc., Scion Cardio-Vascular, Inc., Morris Innovative, Inc., Tricol Biomedical, Inc., Vascular Closure Systems, Inc., and TZ Medical, Inc. are profiled in the report as key players in the global vascular closure devices market. In the near future, several manufacturers of vascular closure devices will be focusing on reducing the existing drawbacks of using VCDs, which include extended hospitalisation, high morbidity risks, and the need for administering antibiotics. Some companies will also be focusing on advancing their umbrella on VCD technologies and improving the quality of life for patients being treated through vascular closure devices.
For in-depth competitive analysis, Buy Now- https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/1809 More Reports From Healthcare Category: Transradial Closure Devices Market : A recent market study published by Future Market Insights (FMI) on the transradial closure device market offers global industry analysis for 2015-2019 & opportunity assessment for 2020-2030. Vascular Testing Devices Market : Vascular Testing Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013 – 2017 and Opportunity Assessment; 2018 – 2028 Cranial Closure And Fixation Devices Market : Cranial Closure And Fixation Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2016-2026 About FMI
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Through the years, social acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual culture has shifted. Although it has existed throughout history, homosexuality is largely a newly emerging debate across the world.
On Nov. 7, a gender studies forum titled "Making Sex Invisible," was held in LA 223 at 4 p.m. The event focused on the current and prior normality of hetero and homosexuality within America.
Led by Professor John Goshert, approximately 20 attendees discussed issues such as the "invisibility," respectability, acceptance and desexualization of homosexuality through related current issues, such as the controversy surrounding Senator Larry Craig.
"The desexualization of gay culture," stated Goshert, "has incredibly profound and catastrophic stakes for gay culture at large."
The forum focused its discussion around the article "Sex in Public" written by Lauren Berlant and Michael Warner. The article, published in Critical Inquiry in 1998, described itself as exploring "sex as it is mediated by publics." The article focuses on the structure of hetero and homosexuality in relation to one another.
"Queer sex plays an imp ortant disruptive role within normative notions of the public sphere," explained Goshert, "because of the way it challenges implicitly intertwined notions of property and propriety."
Goshert has worked as a professor of English at UVSC since 2001. He received a BA and MA in English from Sonoma State University. Later, he earned his Ph.D. in English from Purdue with a focus in lesbian and gay literature and American cultural studies. He has published several articles.


As a kid, I was constantly subjected to fear-mongering on population growth, which was not only out of control, but certain to lead to widespread conflict, political repression, and freakish efforts at human survival. (“Soylent Green,” anyone?) Now, in my middle years, I find myself increasingly assaulted with the opposite “dangers”: too few babies, and a rapidly and unevenly aging world. Somehow the dire predictions of what the consequences will be have remained the same. Funny how that works! Some things we know intuitively from our history, both personal and global. An easy example: In the modern world, single men […]


A nest egg is a substantial sum of money or other assets that have been saved or invested for a specific purpose. Such assets are generally earmarked for longer-term objectives, the most common being retirement, buying a home, and education.
The term can also refer to money kept aside as a reserve to deal with unexpected emergencies such as a medical problem or urgent housing repairs. “Nest egg” has been used to refer to savings since the late 17th century. The term is believed to have been derived from poultry farmers’ tactic of placing eggs—both real and fake—in hens’ nests to induce them to lay more eggs, which meant more income for these farmers.


Some of the most challenging positions to hire for, whether you’re hiring externally or promoting from within, are leadership roles. Think back to your less-than-desirable managers or team leaders in the past. Many of them had no business in their role at all—not everyone is capable of successfully leading a team. If you find yourself seeking a leadership position or are already in one, there are a few things you can keep in mind to ensure your success. If you’re a hiring manager seeking new talent, be on the lookout for these characteristics in applicants.
Give constructive feedback.
This is one of the most important elements of effective communication. To lead a project well, you will need to clarify direction, set expectations, devise strategies, and address performance issues. Give feedback often to ensure your team knows that they’re on the right track. Here are a few ways to give feedback well:
Approach individuals directly. Be specific and use examples. Keep feedback simple. Focus on the issue, not the person. Be available to discuss the feedback and check in on the issue until it’s resolved.
Recognize employees.
Feedback is important, but so is recognizing individual and team accomplishments. A simple thank you to your team or recognizing an individual for their role in a successful project can go a long way. However, structured recognition programs have become highly favored by employees as well. A survey from the IBM Smarter Workforce Institute found that employees who work for companies offering recognition programs, especially those that provide rewards based on demonstrating core values, had a more satisfying employee experience. Eighty-one percent of employees at these companies were satisfied, compared to 62 percent at companies with no formal program.
Have check-in meetings.
Regularly scheduled meetings with your team can be productive if held correctly. Always have an agenda, even if it’s as simple as checking in on a few key concerns that regularly come up. These check-in meetings don’t have a to be a time-waster. You only need about 15 minutes to address any key concerns that arrive. This helps keep leaders in the loop and employees have an opportunity to voice concerns and ideas.
Let employees be decision makers.
One of the best things a leader can do to maintain a healthy relationship with employees is to give them the freedom to make decisions. In the same IBM survey, employees who felt their ideas and suggestions mattered were more than twice as likely to report a positive workplace experience than those who didn’t—83 percent compared to 34 percent. Rather than making every decision for your team, guide employees to make the right decisions themselves, instead. This will give them a sense of ownership of their work and even produce better results.
These are only a few of the characteristics of good workplace leaders. For more tips on hiring and growing your team, sign up for our newsletter.


Labelled data is the foundation of most natural language processing tasks. However, labelling data is difficult and there often are diverse valid beliefs about what the correct data labels should be. So far, dataset creators have acknowledged annotator subjectivity, but rarely actively managed it in the annotation process. This has led to partly-subjective datasets that fail to serve a clear downstream use. To address this issue, we propose two contrasting paradigms for data annotation. The descriptive paradigm encourages annotator subjectivity, whereas the prescriptive paradigm discourages it. Descriptive annotation allows for the surveying and modelling of different beliefs, whereas prescriptive annotation enables the training of models that consistently apply one belief. We discuss benefits and challenges in implementing both paradigms, and argue that dataset creators should explicitly aim for one or the other to facilitate the intended use of their dataset. Lastly, we conduct an annotation experiment using hate speech data that illustrates the contrast between the two paradigms.


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The term “piste”, according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary is derived from the Old Italian word “pista”, from “pistare” — to trample down — and means a trampled-down trail or track, a beaten path. In snow skiing, a “piste” is a marked ski run or path down a mountain. By extension, a “piste” is any long, narrow strip of ground where some activity takes place. In fencing, the “piste” is the long, narrow area (the fencing mat) where a fencing match takes place.
In petanque, the term “piste” is used to refer to a marked patch of ground upon which one plays petanque. The term is extensively used in Australian versions of the rules, but other versions of the rules have used the term only rarely. Currently, the FIPJP rules use the term
cadre (lane).
Words like “piste”, “lane”, and “cadre” refer to a set of visible, physical marks (or strings) on the ground. So a marked patch of ground can be a piste or lane even when no game is being played on it.
In contrast, the expression “marked terrain” is not a technical term, and it is used in a different way. The word “marked” is an ordinary adjective used to indicate that the patch of ground where a game is being played (the “terrain”) has boundaries that have been marked in some way. The terrain is
délimité or tracé.
For more information, see our page on the petanque playing area.


ANROWSParenting Webinar: Parenting in contexts of family violence and inter-parental conflict: Implications for practice
Presenters: Cathy Humphreys and Kathryn Lyons
Wednesday, 14 March 2018, 11:30–12:30pm AEDT.
This webinar will explore the implications of recent research on women’s and children’s experiences of family violence and inter-parental conflict.
Recent research led by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) found that both domestic and family violence (DFV) and inter-parental conflict (IPC) have a range of negative consequences for families and children, including increased parenting difficulties. It revealed that DFV and IPC are relatively common in Australian families, including separating families:
One in 4 mothers reported past or emerging IPC, with 8–9% reporting persistent IPC; and One in 4 mothers in separated families reported physical harm before separation (compared to 1 in 6 fathers).
In families where mothers experienced IPC, children were more likely to have poorer physical health, poorer socio-emotional adjustment and lower academic achievement. Similarly, DFV was closely associated with poorer parent–child relationships.
This webinar will explore the impacts of DFV and IPC on parenting capacity and children’s social and emotional wellbeing. It will discuss implications for practice, including the need to develop responses that restore parenting capacity and repair parent–child relationships.
This webinar is presented in collaboration with ANROWS and the Family Law Pathways Network of Greater Melbourne.


329 Cardholder Information
Outlined below is information about Hawaii's Medical Cannabis Program.
This is not an all-inclusive list of regulations or rules.
The current Hawaii Department of Health eligible conditions: ALS, Cancer, Glaucoma, Lupus, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, HIV/AIDS, PTSD or a "chronic or debilitating disease" that produces one or more of the following; cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of MS or Crohn's disease.
A patient/caregiver can register a grow site with the DOH when applying/renewing their medical cannabis registration and may cultivate up to 10 plants. Each plant must be labeled with the 329 registration number and expiration date.
A patient may purchase up to 4 oz per 15 day period, and 8 oz per 30 day period. This includes all purchases from all dispensary locations combined.
A patient or caregiver must have a valid 329 registration card on their person at all times when possessing medical cannabis.
A patient must not use medical cannabis in a way that endangers the health or well-being of another person.
A patient must not use medical cannabis for purposes other than medical use as permitted by law.
A patient must not use medical cannabis in any moving vehicle, at any work place, on any school grounds, or in any other public place (including public parks, beaches, recreation centers).
Travel Restrictions
Hawaii Revised Statutes specifically state that any transportation of medical cannabis on island must be in a sealed container that is not visible to the public.
“Inter island transportation by any means or for any purpose between a qualified patient or primary caregiver and any other entity or individual, including an individual who is a qualified patient or primary caregiver” is prohibited with the exception of the following:
The transportation of up to one gram of medical cannabis between patient or caregiver and a certified laboratory is allowed for testing purposes IF the patient or caregiver has a) secured an appointment for the testing, b) obtained confirmation of the appointment that includes the specific date and time for the appointment, and c) has the confirmation for the secured, confirmed appointment available during transport.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) position on cannabis to be the following:
Possession of cannabis and cannabis infused products is illegal under federal law. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law, including possession of cannabis and cannabis infused products. TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for cannabis or other illegal drugs, but in the event a substance that appears to be cannabis or a cannabis infused product is observed during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.


Objectives
The general objectives of security of supply are established by the Finnish Government. The primary objective is to safeguard the functioning of critical infrastructure, production and services so that they can meet the most vital basic needs of the population, economy and national defence.
The objective of the security of supply work is to ensure that severe disruptions and emergency conditions can be managed through national measures. The starting points for this work are a stable public economy, a diverse industrial and other production base, a competitive national economy and functional international markets.
Traditionally, security of supply has meant ensuring the supply of materials. Today, however, the focus of security of supply operations is being increasingly shifted towards ensuring the operating capability of critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure means the basic structures, services and related functions that are essential for maintaining the vital functions of society. These include the electrical grid, the water supply, transport routes and secure connections for data communications and financial transactions.
International interdependencies and global value chains are becoming increasingly important in terms of security of supply. Because of this, ensuring security of supply also requires engaging in extensive international cooperation.
Cooperation between the public, private and third sectors is a prerequisite for functional security of supply.


What is the true nature and mission of the church? Is its proper Christian purpose to save souls, or to transform the social order? This question is especially fraught when the church is one built by an enslaved people and formed, from its beginning, at the center of an oppressed community's fight for personhood and freedom. Such is the central tension in the identity and mission of the black church in the United States. For decades the black church and black theology have held each other at arm's length. Black theology has emphasized the role of Christian faith in addressing racism and other forms of oppression, arguing that Jesus urged his disciples to seek the freedom of all peoples. Meanwhile, the black church, even when focused on social concerns, has often emphasized personal piety rather than social protest. With the rising influence of white evangelicalism, biblical fundamentalism, and the prosperity gospel, the divide has become even more pronounced. In
A revealing look at the identity and mission of the black church


Several programs from the last two decades alone promised the use of stratospheric platforms for comms and observation, most of which fell through in the end. However, recent investments and subsequent mission successes from commercial players such as Alphabet and Airbus have injected a fresh wave of hope.
The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) commercial imaging market is an emerging industry, with rapid technology improvements as companies compete to remain cost-effective.


Dimension 19.3. Timing, coverage and data requirements
Time period Coverage Data requirements/ calculation Data sources Last completed fiscal year CG Dimension 19.4. Revenue arrears monitoring DIMENSION MEASUREMENT GUIDANCE
19.4:1. This dimension assesses the extent of proper management of arrears within the revenue entities by focusing on the level and age of revenue arrears. Revenue administrations need to have a critical focus on the management of arrears to ensure that debts owed to the government are managed actively and that appropriate processes are adopted focusing on expediting the payment of collectable debt. This will ensure that revenue administrations maximize the collection of arrears before they become uncollectable. In order for the arrears management process to be considered comprehensive, it should allow for capturing information on revenue arrears and facilitate collection of those arrears in the year they occur.
19.4:2. The assessment narrative should note whether there is a clear definition of
revenue arrears, and whether this is disaggregated by the main revenue sources. It should also note whether the information
provided is reliable, meaning that the ending balance of receivable after considering new assessments, payments under dispute, or to be refunded, can be classified into current or in arrears, and their age if in arrears. This would mean that payments should be clear at to what period of assessment they are being applied. Additionally, the report should identify whether there is a comprehensive document available that establishes rules and procedures for the management of revenue arrears, as well as the existence of any report on the outcomes of managing revenue arrears.
19.4:3. Arrears in the payment of refunds or the processing of revenue offsets to revenue payers by revenue authorities are not included in the measurement of this dimension. However, where there is a significant backlog or outstanding liability for the payment of refunds or processing of offsets, assessors should note this in the PEFA report narrative. Where possible, assessors should also note the approximate size of such liabilities in terms of value or share of total revenue.
Pillar Five: Predictability and Control in Budget Execution


Background
The noninvasive quantification of fat content in the liver is a longstanding goal with major clinical significance. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (steatosis) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, affecting approximately 25% of the global population, yet options for measuring and monitoring the progression of steatosis have been limited. To address this need, a number of efforts have been pursued to quantify steatosis using different imaging modalities. Ultrasound has potential for the study of steatosis in livers, and ultrasound assessments have utilized a number of approaches. However, none of these approaches are currently in widespread clinical use, and many studies still rely on biopsy or MRI techniques for a reference standard measurement. Furthermore, the presence of simultaneous medical conditions that also influence these parameters as co-factors complicates their interpretation. For these reasons, the goal of obtaining accurate measures of liver steatosis from ultrasound imaging systems remains a compelling objective.
Technology Overview
The University of Rochester has developed a method for absolute quantitative estimates of the volume fraction V of liver fat. This method requires a pair of measurements to be input that are now becoming more available: the attenuation and speed of sound/shear wave speed in a patient's liver. Using either of these pairs, researchers calculate the volume fraction of liver fat producing an absolute quantification of steatosis.
Benefits
This approach could be an alternative method to noninvasively assess the
in vivo hepatic fat content using ultrasound systems that are less expensive, more portable, and more widely globally available than MRI systems. Applications
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.


Clinical researchers hold high expectations for the utility of health data sourced from hospital information systems. In Japan, the standardized structured medical information eXchange version 2 (SS-MIX2) storage is a common resource for obtaining clinical data from different medical databases. However, little is known about the coverage of the data types derived from the SS-MIX2 storage. In this regard, we calculated the proportions of a dataset that could be extracted via SS-MIX2 for various clinical study categories listed in various articles published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In the 95 articles reviewed, the proportions varied from 13.3% ± 13.3% (mean ± SD) for dementia to 61.8% ± 13.7% for diabetes. For cardiology, the proportion of data accessed in a unique format (SEAMAT) increased significantly. We further noted that there was room for improvement in the coverage of SS-MIX2 data.
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